Tag Archives: Parenting Book

I’m Gonna Be Honest. The author held to a commitment to honesty throughout the book. Using personal examples, he was able to present an honest and realistic approach to Biblical parenting. The “perfect parent” band-aid was ripped off pretty quickly, disarming the reader to identify with the principles presented.

The B-I-B-L-E, that’s the book for me. Most parents of small children have to choose wisely what parenting books they read. Both for content and for the sake of time. So, if I’m going to read a parenting book, if it has a firm foundation in Scripture, my time and content satisfaction is enhanced.

Challenge Accepted. Are you sure you want to be challenged as a parent? Are you really sure? Thomas has an incredible talent of laying out parental challenges that lie ahead that are convicting but irresistible. You cannot help but continue turning pages to discover new challenges around every corner.

The Bad:

My Heart Hurts. Not exactly a bad thing. Maybe you need an antacid…or maybe it’s the convicting power of God’s Word. But the author presents challenges that are daggers straight to the heart. TUMS may have calcium, but no pill can take away the heart aches of parenting. The honesty of the book is refreshing, but at times is difficult to accept.

The Grade: A. As a parent and youth & family pastor, I regularly read parenting books and articles. This writing has vaulted to the top tier of parenting resources. Honest, convicting, and insightful are some of the descriptions that come to mind. Thomas does not take the easy way out, but provides a road map for spiritual formation parenting, both in the child and the parent. You will walk away from this book changed.

Ready for a Challenge. Listen, this is not for beginners. The instructions are not keep your phone usage under 5 hours per day and limit your binge watching for the weekend. No, this book will make you want to throw your phone out the window and hug your kids for an hour. The challenge is real people, so buckle up.

Hold Hands. Why do we hold our kids’ hands in the parking lot? To lead them to our car and not let them get hit by a Target shopper who couldn’t wait to hit the dollar bin. Same principle here. Crouch holds your hand the whole way, guiding you through each principle, and giving you practical steps to accomplish each step.

Rest in Peace. Most of us reading this do not rest. You may have times of leisure, but we do not rest. God rested. Is this thing on? God rested. And yet we still think we can go 24/7 with another shot of espresso, a smartphone, and a Google home. Doesn’t work that way. You need to rest, and this plan will help you get there.

The Bad:

Have you met my kids? I love my kids dearly, but some of these rules/steps are…I’m laughing out loud as I type this thinking of my children…unrealistic. To his credit, the author does say this is not a one size fit all plan. For example, tea on Sunday? Yeah my 4 year old son is gonna be hyped for an afternoon of tea and classical music. I can just hear him saying, “Daddy, my turn to pick? I’d like to hear Symphony No. 5 in C minor…please daddy?”. Or the rule of no screens till they are 10. Now keep in mind, this is cherry picking the difficult ones. Most principles are dynamite and need to be considered.

The Grade: A-

The case is made. I mean, just look at this Time Magazine article, there is no debate anymore. Too much screen time for children is dangerous and hazardous to our kid’s spiritual and mental health. It’s time we take control, set boundaries, and not allow the addiction to technology start when they are in diapers. Feel free to start small. That is what our family did as we have implemented several ideas, and they have been beneficial to our family. And one more thing, the tech-wise family, it starts with the parents. Set the example, and lead your family into being a tech-wise family. It will be uncomfortable at first, but that’s often where God works best.

Been there, done that. Charles Stanley had both the view of the counselor and the parent when he brought personal illustrations to play. The counseling situations were enlightening and eye-opening, and the family illustrations brought a personal touch. Each produced a break for the mind and allowed for smooth reading.

Homework? With each chapter, I walked away with homework. There were parenting skills that needed sharpened, conversations that needed to take place, and changes that needed to happen. I have a long ways to go, but there were measurable steps I could take in improving my parenting.

This Quote – “The only hope they have is to undergo a transforming experience by Christ in their life and thus gain an understanding of who they really are in Jesus Christ.”

Handing Down Your Faith. The chapter on this very subject was priceless. My favorite part of the book and made the whole read worthwhile. Such an important concept and I’m indebted to the author for the wisdom that was shared.

The Bad:

Not too sure. There were a couple specific parenting situations that I disagreed with the take of the author. Nothing sinful or even anything wrong, but a stance I probably wouldn’t take. I am still learning on the job, so maybe my view may change as my kids get older. Seems most of my disagreements had to do with discipline that was at times on the weak side.

Not One Mention of SnapChat. It’s no fault of the author, but the book is outdated in the area of technology. Writing in the mid-80’s, there is no mention of the constant battle of cell phones, gaming, and technology that this generation of parents face. (Disclaimer: Looks like an updated version was written in 1996, but would still lag behind in some technological issues.)

The Grade: A. Any parenting book that teaches you practical ways of improving your relationship with your children and your role as a parent gets an A from me. This book provides valuable insight in parenting, while providing personal ways of improving the day-to-day grind of parenting a child. Written over 30 years ago, it just goes to show, Biblical parenting does not go out of style.

That seems like a silly question. Couldn’t all parents use at least a little help with parenting. Paul Tripp wrote a book called “Parenting”. You know what it is about? Parenting. Seriously though, it’s more than that. This book has a dynamite combination. Sometimes when you combine two things, it’s not so great. Like hot dogs and mayonnaise, not what the doctor ordered. Or how about stripes and plaids? Gasoline and an open flame? These are all disasters waiting to happen. But when you combine a parenting book with the Gospel, you get a must read.

Book Review: Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul Tripp

The Good:

Don’t Skip the Intro. What a way to set up a book! Like a great pregame from a coach, the author’s motivation in the opening pages is impeccable. Not sure about the book, read the intro and you’ll be asking “Where do I sign?”

Gospel-Centered. The author’s web page suggested his concern of parenting self-help books, and even his previous parenting books being held in more importance than God’s Word. So, the author goes all out in taking the Gospel into parenting, rather than the other way around. And he does a masterful job of instilling Gospel principles into everyday parenting. It’s not too over the top, the “porridge” tastes just right.

That Didn’t Take Long. Read a chapter and set a timer…it won’t be very long until you are tested with these practical principles from God’s Word. These chapters are filled with practical lessons, that are both challenging and convicting. And it doesn’t take long for you to be tested on the material.

The Bad:

This, This, and This. The author has a certain style. He like a particular mode of writing. The book is filled with a specific literary technique. I was trying to be subtle there, but the author tends to lean on a repetitive style of writing, and enjoys repeating a phrase in different ways. Most of the time, it is very effective and needed, but every once in a while the list just seems redundant.

The Grade: A. For any phase of parenting, this book is a must read. Read it before having kids. Read it when you are in the heat of the battle. Read it as a grandparent. Suggest it to friends. Suggest it in parent meetings. It’s a must read. It goes to the heart of both the parent and the child, and it does not let go. It is enlightening, frustratingly challenging, spiritually uplifting, directionally on target, and never wavers from the truth of God’s Word. It is a must read.